I was just reading the newly released
glossary of terms for the new initiative for human exploration. I particularly found the following interesting:
Quote:
Originally posted by NASA says...
Exploration Spiral 1 (Crew Transportation System Earth Orbit Mission) - Encompasses the capabilities necessary to insert humans into Earth orbit and return them safely to Earth, employing a post-Space Shuttle flight system. A programmatic constraint has been imposed on Spiral 1: "NASA shall conduct the initial test flight for the Crew Exploration Vehicle before the end of the decade in order to provide an operational capability to support human exploration missions no later than 2014". The flight elements of the Exploration Spiral 1 Crew Transportation System are the Crew Exploration Vehicle and Crew Launch Vehicle. Robotic Precursor Missions that are scheduled to launch prior to the Earth orbit demonstration of the Spiral 1 CTS are considered Exploration Spiral 1 missions.
Exploration Spiral 2 (Extended-Duration Lunar Campaign) - Encompasses the capabilities necessary to execute extended-duration human lunar exploration. Extended duration lunar missions will be 4-14 days in duration on the lunar surface, and do not require pre-deployed surface systems (e.g., Habitation Module or Surface Power). A programmatic constraint has been imposed on Spiral 2: "NASA shall conduct the first extended human expedition to the lunar surface as early as 2015, but no later than the year 2020, in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations". Robotic Precursor Missions scheduled to launch after the Spiral 1 CTS flight demonstration, and prior to the first Spiral 3 Lunar mission are considered Exploration Spiral 2 missions.
Exploration Spiral 3 (Long-Duration Lunar Campaign) - Encompasses the capabilities necessary to execute a long-duration human lunar exploration campaign. This campaign requires development of extensive surface systems (e.g., habitation and surface power system), and long-duration lunar-vicinity parking capability of the crew transportation system. Long-duration lunar missions will extend from 14-98 days. Robotic Precursor Missions that are scheduled to launch after the last Spiral 2 extended- duration lunar mission, and prior to the initial Exploration Spiral 4 mission are considered Exploration Spiral 3 missions.
Exploration Spiral 4 (Crew Transportation System Mars Flyby) - Encompasses the capabilities to conduct a Mars flyby mission using elements of the Human-Mars Crew Transportation System. Upon completion of successful Mars flyby(s), Exploration Spiral 5 will commence. Robotic Precursor Missions scheduled to launch prior to the first Human-Martian surface mission are considered Spiral 4 missions.
Exploration Spiral 5 (Human Mars Surface Campaign) - Spiral 5 encompasses the capabilities necessary to execute human Mars exploration missions. Robotic Precursor Missions scheduled to launch after the final Mars flyby mission, and prior to the start of Exploration Spiral 6 (TBD content) are considered Spiral 5 missions.
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I would hope that they'd develop a permenant presence on the Moon in Spiral 3, but it seems they're only shooting for a 98 day max stay. Maybe it'll change, as this is planning for 10-20 years from now.
25-January-2005, 09:34 PM
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